Karen Brewer

Pssst…New Home to be Listed Soon…

Attention first time buyers.Need a starter home in Darien? 3 bedrooms perhaps. Around 1600 sq ft perhaps? Walk to train and town too? Contact me ASAP for an in house, exclusive listing that is not on the MLS and will not disappoint. It’s an adorable bungalow, cute as can be and in great shape.Great way to get into town without breaking the bank. Price to be determined. Stay tuned.kmbrewer2@aol.com or 203-554-0951

Spring Is Peaking in the Darien Home Market

No, I’m not talking about the weather,heaven knows.Im talkin’ real estate, as always. The next two to three weeks will be the peak of the spring real estate market in Darien,Ct.From then on, new listings will become scarcer and those left remaining  on the market will be overpriced or unloved for one reason or another.

 I also mentioned in a previous post that the State of CT conveyance tax will increase as of July 1 further incenting sellers to get their home sales “buttoned up” by that date.

 If you are in the market for a home in Darien and have been on the sidelines, strap on your helmet and dive in.The market continues to offer well priced opportunities at historically low interest rates.If you’re just looking online,driving by properties or waiting for the exact, perfect thing…you’re not in the market,you’re just watching.

The same is true for sellers. If you really want to sell your home there are buyers out there for those who understand the “new normal” of pricing. Failure to “get it” will result in your remaining in your home another year and risking further market decline.

Which School District in Darien,Ct is the Best?

 

There are five elementary schools in Darien, Tokeneke,Royle,Ox Ridge,Hindley and Holmes.Those schools all feed into the Middlesex Middle School and ultimately to Darien High School.Almost everyone I know who has looked for a home,knows someone already here in town.Invariably, they tell me they want to buy in oneschool district or another because they were told it was the best one. Mind you I’ve heard this about every one of the five elementary schools. . Come to Darien but don’t worry about the schools districts. They are largely the same….excellent.

CT Real Estate Sales Tax Increased,Darien Homes

Just when we thought it was safe to dip our toes back in the real estate market in Darien and Fairfield County the government goes and steps in. It’s no secret that Connecticut like so many other states are facing huge budget deficits.So in its infinite wisdom the legislature  has raised the cost of selling a home.

Connecticut has long had what is termed a “conveyance tax”. Basically that means when a homeowner sells property, there is a sales tax levied.The new law that goes into effect on July1 of this year raises that tax.The new rate for properties under $800,000 goes from .5% of the sales price to .75%.

Homes over $800,000 pay what is affectionately called a “mansion tax”. That rate goes from 1% to 1.25% as of July1.

So, if selling your home hasn’t been stressful enough what with a continually declining market here in Darien ,you can sleep well knowing you just lost a few more bucks to Hartford.

What effect this will have on the Darien real estate market is unknown but anyone trying to sell their house has an added incentive to get the deal done by July 1.

Darien, CT Homes,How to Buy or Sell A Home in 2011

The beat goes on in Darien,CT and Fairfield County real estate.The market is robust and the market numbers for the month of April when they are tallied will bear me out.At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the spring market has arrived and as regards sheer volume of homes being sold,is doing quite nicely.The only issue whether you are a buyer or a seller, is one of pricing.

The homes that are selling are the ones where there is perceived value and are in line with the market. Real estate is a market like any other whether it’s coffee beans or stocks and bonds. There are external factors of the economy,supply and demand over which we as agents and  buyers or sellers have no control. It doesn’t matter if for example you think Apple stock  is overpriced. If you wish to buy now, you will pay the market price.The same is true of selling.Just because you believe your company stock is undervalued,doesn’t mean the market will perform to your expectations.

If you are a seller in this market,have had adequate numbers of showings and are seeing homes selling above and below your price range,you are almost surely priced incorrectly.Likewise, if you are a buyer and losing homes to other buyers, stop digging in your heels. The buyers have come back in force,lending is loosening up and there will be a someone right behind you. 

The spring market is short and will be gone in 60 days or so.If you want to buy or sell a home in Darien or anywhere really,loosen your hold on what YOU think a home is worth,put your ear to the ground and listen.

Property of the Week..95 Leroy Ave. Another Great Darien Antique…

 You’ve driven by it a hundred times.You know that house near the corner of West Ave. and Leroy Ave. that used to look so old and sad…the one with the mansard roof.Yea, that one.I know.You’ve always wanted to go in and see it.Well, now you can and you can even own it if you like what you see and I guarantee that you will. This familiar Darien,CT landmark is on the market for $2.395 million and worth every cent.

95 Leroy Ave. has been rescued from its former life as a three family rental residence to that of a superior state of the art home that beautifully retains its historical and architecturall integrity. The exterior boasts exciting roof lines of the mansard variety, dormers,French doors and wraparound porches.

Inside is a beautiful great room and it is GRRREAT. The dimensions are 21′x42′ and it houses the living room,dining room and state of the art kitchen.As wonderful as that is, there are original, cozy rooms too such as a  library and additional family room with doors to a flagstone patio.

Upstairs, 95 Leroy has a beautiful sitting room with built ins and no fewer than 5 bedrooms,most with en suite baths. The real stunner though is the third floor which is currently in use as a guest suite but would work very well as a playroom or au paire suite.This area has a full bath and small kitchen area with sink and fridge. It also opens out onto a lovely balcony overlooking the back yard.

This historical gem is literally a few blocks to the Darien ,Metro North station ,downtown, and Tilley Pond Park. Children would attend Royle School which is also easily walkable from the house.Call me at 203-554-0951 for a private showing or email me at kmbrewer2@aol.com.

A Peek into the Listing Future,Norwalk CT. Bit of Paradise

Generally, I write about Darien CT and all the beautiful homes it has to offer for sale or rent. From time to time however, I list homes in the neighboring town of Norwalk ,CT. Just such a  home is located on one of the most spectacular pieces of property I have ever seen in Norwalk or anywhere for that matter. This five bedroom, six and a half bath home sits directly on Florsheim Pond and is just steps from a gorgeous waterfall. An original water wheel from when it was the site of a grist mill, sits just beyond the driveway.

Gardens wrap around the house as do patios and a deck.There’s a private flagstone patio with water feature and expansive water views from almost every room. Wildlife is everywhere.The master suite has a luxurious marble bath and attached office area. The kitchen is state of the art. Get the picture?

This home will be listed this week.For a sneak peek of this bucolic, one of a kind home and property,contact me at kmbrewer2@aol.com or 203-554-0951.

Not Yet on the Market, Darien CT Historic Home

Shhhhh.It’s still a secret. Yet another Darien historical home will be listed next week. This house contains over 5000 square feet of totally renovated space.Built in 1900 and redone in 2001, this secret listing has 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, a gourmet kitchen,family room,and library.The center of the home is a great room measuring approximately 42′x42′which contains the kitchen,living room and dining area.There are french doors,a fireplace and large mudroom too. Upstairs is a large sitting room,master suite and four more bedrooms with en suite baths.

The third floor is another great room with sink, fridge and full bath. The perfect in law suite,aupair quarters, or playroom.Beautiful architecture too.Wraparound front porch,mansard roof, and unusual rooflines and dormers.(Those of you living in town may be able to guess the location.)

All this with a walk to town, train and schools location. Price is yet to be determined.Can’t post pictures yet.Remember, it’s a secret.If you want to know more, call me at 203-554-0951 or email kmbrewer2@aol.com

Darien,Ct Real Estate,Good News and Bad News…

This is a good news/ bad news kind of post. The attached report showing the state of the Darien real estate market is completely depressing. It indicates across the board loses in listings, sales and average price. Only “days on market” numbers are moving in the right direction.

The numbers can be explained by an extremely late spring (I’m not even sure it’s here now) that kept buyers hunkered down.

Now the good news.Since April 1, the entire market has turned around. Homes, if priced well, are selling within two weeks, the inventory has been replenished with lovely new listings and indicators point to a really great second quarter 2011.

Since April1 there have been 18 new listings and 16 homes gone to contract.Homes predominantly in the $700,000-$1.700,000 are selling almost as quickly as they come to market. In fact, there have been” multiple offer” situations as the competition for well priced homes heats up.The perfect storm of low interest rates and a perceived market bottom has finally created real momentum. There are a few notable sales in the upper reaches of the real estate stratosphere among them a $5.5 million dollar home in Noroton Bay $7 million listing on Long Neck Point.

Everything’s “Rosey” in Darien

As the national economy rebounds so does local retail and Darien is no exception. We have a couple of new shops in town one of which is a ”pop up” shop called Everythings’ Rosey run by long time resident, Rosey Costello.What is a “pop up” store you ask? In this case it is a downtown Darien storefront that had three month gap between tenants. 

 Everythings’ Rosey will only be around for that limited time.It is well worth stopping in.Most of the merchandise is resort wear by a designer named Barabara Gerwit whose clothes are comfortable and easy to wear. There are tops,dresses,pool cover-ups,PJ’s and more in summery, Gucci like prints. Rosey also has some home accessories like toile serving trays, pretty wastebaskets and a smart line of needlepoint shoes.EVERYTHING is under $100, so stop by.  Remember Rosey will only be in town for three months.The shop is right on the Post Road opposite the Darien Playhouse.